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Many believe the New England Patriots will be firmly in the running for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Max Crosby.
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Let me start by saying this: There are very few players like Crosby in the NFL. He’s a top-five rusher and has a case to be in the top-three.
However, the top three rushers don’t come cheap.
You know what’s cheap? Rookie defensive end.
In the NFL, the contracts of all first-round picks are set entirely by the league based on the salary cap and draft position. Whoever this year’s No. 31 pick is will make just over $16 million per year over the next four years.
The same goes for wide receivers. However, as we Patriots fans know all too well, drafting a wide receiver is easier said than done.
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I believe that in almost all situations it is better to draft your defense and pay your offense.
This is especially true in head coach Mike Vrabel’s system. It’s much easier to identify athletes whose traits match a team’s needs and teach them a system than it is to evaluate which college prospects can create separation at the next level.
I’d rather see New England use the over $35 million they spent on Crosby to acquire a proven NFL wide receiver (or two) in quarterback Drake Maye and another offensive lineman.
Given the team’s current position in the first round of the NFL Draft, they will select a defensive end prospect with a dunking ability in the deep rusher category. In a top-heavy wide receiver year, it’s a different story.
Crosby is a game-breaker, but I believe Vrabel and his staff have the ability to get the most out of lower-value pieces.